Nationals Face Long Island Lizards this Weekend
Published on July 16, 2009 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
TORONTO - The Toronto Nationals hit the road this weekend following a week off to travel to Long Island to face the Lizards (5-3) on Saturday July 18th at James M. Shuart Stadium at 8:00 p.m. EST.
The Nationals (4-5) are looking to pull themselves out of a four game losing streak having been defeated most recently on the road July 4th by the Chicago Machine, 24-19.
In an earlier matchup at the end of May between the Nationals and the Lizards, the Nationals were defeated by Long Island in front of a home crowd at BMO Field. Led by Delby Powless in his first-ever professional field lacrosse game with two goals and one assist, the Nationals fell to the Lizards, 13-9.
Nationals attacker Merrick Thomson still leads the Nationals and the League in goals with 33. Matt Danowski leads the Lizards with 24 points (12 goals, 1 2-pt goal, 11 assists)
Head coach Dave Huntley says the team is ready to put all of their energy into the game this weekend.
"We expect to start a five game winning streak (this weekend) and we know that it can only happen by winning our share of each individual battle, every minute of each game," said Huntley.
In the line up for the Nationals on Saturday will be John Grant Jr. who returns to professional lacrosse for the first time since last summer after undergoing a series of knee surgeries.
"It's no secret that we have been struggling over the last few weeks," said Huntley. "We all have to be better, coaches and players."
"We are not putting the burden for our improvement on Junior but it sure doesn't hurt to get him back," Huntley added.
Seven Nationals players along with head coach Dave Huntley will represent Toronto on the Young Guns and Old School team's this evening during the 2009 MLL All-Star Game in Denver at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
Merrick Thomson, Joe Walters and Brett Queener will also represent Toronto in the Bud Light Skills Competition at halftime. Thomson and Walters will be competing in the 2-Point Shooting Contest and Queener will participate in the Freestyle Contest during the halftime event.
The 2009 MLL All-Star Game will be broadcast live tonight at 10:00 p.m. EST on TSN2 and ESPN2.
For all the All-Star Game details, please visit www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
The Toronto Nationals return home next week on Thursday July 23rd to host the Boston Cannons at BMO Field at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 16, 2009
- MLL All-Star Game Tonight on ESPN2 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Goalie Specialty Camp -Long Island Lizards Head Coach - New York Lizards
- Nationals Face Long Island Lizards this Weekend - Hamilton Nationals
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